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Penrith: Ashley Riediger admits to string of break ins, fights one charge

A young woman started breaking into into properties, pinching things like bank cards, AirPods, sunnies and a scooter across western Sydney after she lost her job in hospitality.

Ashley Riediger pleaded guilty to a string of break ins around the Penrith area after she lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Instagram
Ashley Riediger pleaded guilty to a string of break ins around the Penrith area after she lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Instagram

A young chef who lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic has admitted to breaking into several properties around western Sydney.

Ashley Riediger, 24, of Kingswood, pleaded guilty to enter building with intent, three counts of unlawful entry on inclosed lands, three counts of intentionally or recklessly damage property, two counts of break and enter and steal less than $60,000, and larceny in relation to six incidents around Penrith between June and August this year.

She has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of break and enter and steal less than $60,000 in relation to an alleged incident at the Penrith TK Maxx store on July 27.

The building on Lord Sheffield Circuit that Ashley Riediger illegally entered in July. Picture: Google
The building on Lord Sheffield Circuit that Ashley Riediger illegally entered in July. Picture: Google

According to court documents, Riediger’s crime spree started on June 12 when she entered the underground parking area of an apartment building on John Tipping Grove, Penrith, at about 4.20am.

Once inside, she sprayed a CCTV camera with black paint and was later seen leaving the building with a push scooter she didn’t arrive with.

She then snuck into an underground parking area on Lord Sheffield Circuit, Penrith, while a car was leaving at about 2.30am on July 4.

Ashley Riediger is fighting one break-and-enter charge relating to an alleged incident at Penrith’s TK Maxx store. Picture: Facebook
Ashley Riediger is fighting one break-and-enter charge relating to an alleged incident at Penrith’s TK Maxx store. Picture: Facebook
Ashley Riediger will be sentenced in Penrith Local Court on November 10. Picture: Instagram
Ashley Riediger will be sentenced in Penrith Local Court on November 10. Picture: Instagram

Court documents say she sprayed black paint on the CCTV cameras, but was caught on one camera breaking into a metal storage door and rummaging through the contents.

She later left through a fire exit carrying three bags she didn’t arrive with.

Almost two weeks later, Riediger broke into the Penrith Anglican College in Orchard Hills.

Then, on July 19, Riediger entered the parking area of an apartment building on North Rocks Rd, North Rocks, and was seen on CCTV looking into several vehicles and attempting to open storage cages.

The apartment building on John Tipping Grove illegally entered by Ashley Riediger. Picture: Google
The apartment building on John Tipping Grove illegally entered by Ashley Riediger. Picture: Google

The fifth incident occurred on July 23 when Riediger jumped a fence to gain access to the underground parking of an apartment building on Barber Ave, Penrith.

Once inside, she broke into a Suzuki Swift and stole a backpack containing bank cards, a pair of Rayban sunglasses, and a pair of Apple AirPods.

She was arrested on August 1 after police observed her breaking into a building in an industrial area on Coombes Drive, Penrith.

Once inside, police observed her stealing heavy-duty copper wire from the premises, which was found in the back seat of her car when she was stopped by police on her way home.

In court, Riediger’s lawyer requested a full sentencing assessment report to help determine a suitable punishment.

Magistrate Geoffrey Hiatt adjourned the matters to November 10 for sentence.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/penrith-press/penrith-ashley-riediger-admits-to-string-of-break-ins-fights-one-charge/news-story/27ce335091adeaadbe9e1c550cd3133e